Home Service helmet chinstrap

[Hillebrandt]

Not sure whether this should be here or in "Uniforms" but as it's loosely connected with re-enacting I'll try my question here.

I've seen studio photographs of the Home Service helmet being worn with the chinstrap hooked up across the front. Would there have been a situation when on duty (or even off duty) where the chain would be hooked up and worn in this manner - other than when being carried under the arm?

Any guidance would much appreciated.

Thanks,

David

[Stuart_Bates]

David,

I am not sure of all of the occasions when the chin chain was worn down under the chin but here is an example of such during bayonet training drill.

I will see what else I can find.

Stuart

Coldstream Guards chinchain down.jpg (323.4 KiB) Viewed 1046 times

[Stuart_Bates]

Here is another one with chinchains down. They are drilling and practising fixing bayonets. Perhaps all "drills" were performed with the chinchain down?

Stuart

Chinchain Down Fixing Bayonets.jpg (462.78 KiB) Viewed 1045 times

[Hillebrandt]

Thanks very much for those Stewart. For the two times that I have worn it this year I have had the chain up. These were in a procession and a church parade, so were probably correct for that sort of occasion.

Regards,

David

[Stuart_Bates]

David,

yes I would agree that the chinchain was probably worn up on parades and the like. Now where is Frogsmile when you need him

Stuart

[Stuart_Bates]

David,

why not post a couple of photos if you have them? What regiment(s) is involved?

Stuart

[tabony]

I thought this was a very interesting question so I've just looked through illustrations from the likes of Simkin and photos from the ILN etc. The one thing I noticed straight away was that the strap is never up when a rifle is carried. If I find anything that contradicts that I post it here.

Martin

[Stuart_Bates]

Here is an illustration showing chinchains both up and down??? More work to be done.

Stuart

Chinchain Down023.jpg (259.38 KiB) Viewed 1023 times

[QSVC]

Hello,

I'd agree with Martin, I think you'll find its related to the role of the wearer and whether a firearm is carried......and a reflection of the armed preparedness of the soldier.

The soldier is Stuarts photo with the chinscales worn up appears to be a musician and with the cords of a bugler though of course I can't see whether he has a sidearm, the others.......the infanteers or certainly otherwise carrying sidearms such as swords and bayonets and so likely a rifle isn't far away.

But yes......where IS Frogsmile when you need him.

Robert

[Stuart_Bates]

Of all the illustrations that I have looked at there does seem to be the common factor of a weapon i.e. sword, rifle or bayonet. I noted the musician but did not immediately associate the others with bayonets etc.

Stuart

[tabony]

I can't locate it at the moment, but awhile ago there was a photo of a London Volunteer Rifle unit. Anyway it was a "type of the regiment" picture in various orders of dress and the only one with the chinstrap down had a rifle.

Martin
found it viewtopic.php?f=19&t=5747&hilit=rifle+volunteers

[trooper]

Reading this thread caused me to check my infantry files.I found that almost invariably bandsmen wore the chinstrap looped up. Logically this would be so that it would not interfere with the instruments. For the rest of the regiment the helmet would be worn on most parades and the chinstrap would be worn down. If the helmet was set down, or carried it would be looped up so it wouldn't get twisted. Trooper